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The ship uses UHT (aseptic/shelf stable/ long life) milk and cream which tastes very different than the pasteurized (HTST) milk and cream we are used to in the United States. I have watched them refill the creamer in the Lido with UHT cream.

Thank you @Ready2go11 for this thread. We were on the Oosterdam for 22 days in February and it is our favorite ship. Keep your eye out for cooking demonstrations in The Rolling Stones lounge. The German executive chef on our cruise was very entertaining. Are you participating in the M & G? If so, could you provide details. Ours was held in the Crows Nest which was not a good venue for 110 people. I was surprised by how good the “surf” internet package was in Antarctica. I hope it is just as good for you as you cross the Atlantic!

As I former English teacher too, I did a bit of research on the use of healthy and healthful. I found this brief video interesting.

Happy Sunday! Although when I wake up I read the local newspaper online, we receive a daily snail paper because I do the crossword puzzles and my DH does the jumble and other word puzzles. Not sure how I feel about beavers. They’ve caused several environmental problems on my area. However, did you know it was Beer day too. Bota Box is our go to cardboardeux although we prefer the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. Their name was inspired from the traditional Spanish wine skins known as “botas” which were used to carry wine for centuries for thirsty travelers. Positive thoughts to those who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

Cab will be cheaper and quicker.

We had early dining (which was at 5:30) table for 2 in February on the Oosterdam. We arrived at 5:45 every day. Our waiter was extremely grateful that we arrived after the initial rush. Service was great and the meal usually took an hour to an hour and 15 minutes.

I have not taken a HAL transfer but a cab from Port Everglades to FLL was $20 in March. Ubers are usually less expensive, $15 from FLL to the port in March. I usually Uber to the port to embark and cab to the airport when I disembark.

Happy Saturday! A few words about Sorry Charlie Day, this day allows us to pause and reflect on the rejections we’ve faced throughout our lives. Today, we can celebrate our own perseverance or learn from the experiences of others in bouncing back from rejection. My niece is visiting from FL so I’m making her a special dinner tonight. We’ll start with cheese fondue. I’m sure some of you have fondue pots that haven’t been out of the cupboard for quite some time. It’s a great appetizer when you want to sit around the table and catch up. Our main course will be crabcakes made with MD blue crab meat served with MD sweet corn, I froze both last summer. I hoard things during the winter but it is time to clear out the freezer and look forward to restocking this summer. Positive thoughts to those who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

My DH often subbed 1 slice of French Toast or a Belgian Waffle with his English breakfast for the potatoes and toast. I have also customized the English breakfast, no eggs or meat, add spinach and asparagus. The CO chef stir fried the veggies. Delish! One of the best perks of a CO breakfast. My favorite is the Pan Asian breakfast, particularly when doing a tour. The protein keeps me going until I return to the ship. The NS was at Half Moon Cay with the Rotterdam in March. It was crazy crowded. We didn’t want to miss the beautiful beach and water so we made a plan that helped us avoid the crowds. We left the ship about 10 and walked a long way down the beach to the area with trees in order to find quiet chairs. We returned to the ship about 1 for lunch because I have never been impressed with the island bbq. @POA1I hope you have a relaxing day tomorrow, be it in The Retreat or on HMC. Thanks for this thread.

@StLouisCruisers @Quartzsite CruiserThank you for the wonderful pictures of Bergen (and the wonderful port pictures you post most days). I am excited about our Best of Norway cruise on the Rotterdam in August. In February, we had an itinerary change and there are two replacement ports: Gothenburg, Sweden and Mandal (Kristiansand) Norway. I am unsure what we will do in these ports. There are no excursions listed for Mandal. Does anyone have any suggestions for these ports? Positive thoughts for those who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

Although I enjoyed the new MDR brunch, I have never had a good crab cake on HAL. I try one in a different venue every cruise and have always been extremely disappointed. Perhaps it is because I am from MD. We make our crab cakes with blue crab, and just a little mayo and egg to bind, definitely no onion or peppers to mask the flavor of the sweet crab meat. 🦀🦀🦀

Although we enjoyed 13 Club Orange breakfasts on the Nieuw Statendam in March, the brunch was a nice change of pace and the only time we ate in the MDR. I wanted to mention that our brunch menu was similar but not the same as the one that has been posted. My friend started a banana bread, different from the banana French toast offered daily. For my main, I had a delicious Mexican style skillet with beans and cheese served with tortilla chips.

@dfish @Seasick Sailor i try to creatively use all of our leftovers. I prepared ham for my family’s Easter dinner. After dinner, I removed the majority of meat from the bone, placed it in a stock pot and covered it with water. I used the ham stock to make two traditional PA Dutch recipes this week. Monday, I made ham, bean and rival soup.Last night, I made green beans, potatoes and ham.I do not use a recipe and did not take these photos. Recipes and photos can be found on Savory Moments. Positive thoughts to all who need them, here on the Daily and around the world.

@NavybikermomAloo Masala is available in the MDR and is delicious.

@aliaschief I started reading the Daily because of the port pictures and descriptions. I have to admit I am a bit jealous of your adventures but am truly enjoying your pictures and commentary. Many times the “port of the day” photos are from other cruise lines. There is a regular poster on the Daily who has never cruised on a HAL ship. @RMLincolnBanana bread French toast is on the MDR menu on HAL. Yummy

Happy Peanut Butter & Jelly Day, my DHs favorite sandwich. Peanut butter was considered a delicacy in the early 1900′s and was only served in New York City's finest tea rooms. In a May 1896 article published in the Good Housekeeping magazine, a recipe urged homemakers to use a meat grinder to make peanut butter and spread the result on bread. The first reference of peanut butter paired with jelly was published by Boston Cooking School Magazine of Culinary Science and Domestic Economics in 1901 using currant or crab apple jelly. In the late 1920′s the price of peanut butter declined and the sandwich became very popular with children. According to the Peanut Board, during World War II, both peanut butter and jelly were part of the United States soldiers military ration list. Positive thoughts to those who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

I never believed HALs “fresh fish” PR until I saw it being loaded on to the ship in Montevideo. @CruiserBrucecooking fresh salmon to 145 degrees kills bacterial pathogens and parasites.

@Terry in NJYou will have more luck posting in your Roll Call

🐰🐰🐰Generally, I don’t think teachers are fans of April Fools Day but I once helped students pull off an epic prank. The students were at school late for play practice on March 31. My roll was simply to unlocked the classroom doors. They took all the wall coverings, books and furniture from Teacher A’s room and swapped it with Teacher B’s room. What surprise on the morning of April 1. The prank was enjoyed by the entire school. The afternoon was spent returning the belongings to the proper room instead of practicing for the play.

On the Oosterdam, in February the lectures were standing room only. Although they were streamed into The Rolling Stones lounge, there was still not enough space. The passengers went to guest services and used the Let Us Know feature of the app to ask that the lectures be recorded so they could be viewed in the cabins. The seas were rough and there were many mobility challenges people on the ship. Our comments focus on safety. I hope the lectures can be viewed in your cabin too.

@POA1Thank you for your amusing and informative posts. I found my first ”Finlay” novel in the library of the Oosterdam and have now read the entire series. Not to let this wonderful thread drift too far but @Ready2go11 my favorite novels set in Florida are by Carl Hiaasen. I also like Tim Dorsey’s main character Serge.

On the Oosterdam in February, we found it on our bed with a generic note. There was no ceremony or in person recognition. I left mine in the cabin when we disembarked.

I have never seen a “Broadway” type show on HAL. Check out the band in BB Kings too. They are often much better than the band in the Rolling Stone Rock Room. It may be helpful to look at the Daily programs posted in this recent LIVE thread for times and types of evening entertainment.

Happy Saturday! Earth hour was the 23rd. It was when people around the world turned off their lights to show support for the planet and to raise awareness of the environmental issues facing it. Here is a picture of the Sydney harbor before/during Earth hour. Positive thoughts for those who need them. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising

I like tiradito, a traditional Peruvian dish. (I loved the fact that the chef incorporated traditional Argentinian and Chilean dishes while I was on the Oosterdam in February but I digress.) The fish is raw, like most sushi; it differs from ceviche in two ways: tiradito is sliced, while ceviche is cubed; and tiradito is sauced immediately before service, hence raw, while ceviche is marinated beforehand, hence "cooked". I admire you for trying new things.